When reading in the various aviators’ social media groups and on the basis of many discussions with aerotoxic victims, I realize again and again that way too many are brushed off by physicians, are sent to psychiatrists, while suffering from (a diagnosis of) depression. Many mention that the drugs they are given do not seem to work for them or just a little. In the following article I discuss the possibly link which may not have been considered (by doctors), often because they have too little or no knowledge of toxicology. Almost all neurological and mental disorders are the result from the flooding of toxins / neurotoxins and 'conventional' pollutants in to the central nervous system.

Sick leave or even ‚loss-of-license’ for pilots and ill-health medical retirement for cabin crew due to ‚psychological problems’ such as depression or anxiety disorders are nowadays more likely than sick leave due to physical suffering. As a ‚convenient’ and simple diagnosis to avoid compensation claims, similar to the ‚hyper ventilation’ that pilot’s suffer from according to one of the industry experts? It seems anything is good enough to avoid the diagnosis : job-related injury by poisoning’ with neurotoxins that are already listed in WHO’s ICD-10 illness reference guide. The uptake of toxic substances from the environment and at the workplace leads to stress on the nervous system. The consequences are neurodegenerative diseases, impairment of intelligence and even creeping brain degeneration etc.

Chronic poisoning of the organism can be caused by normal metabolic processes. Endogenous and exogenous toxins are only a cause of the disease, when the body's excretory organs are overloaded (the glass is overfull with toxins), is malfunctioning, or the secretion processes or functions are working insufficiently. The blood-brain barrier is a natural 'barrier' between the bloodstream and the central nervous system, but with the object to protect the brain from toxins and other pollutants. Many toxins can easily penetrateand pass the blood-brain barrier, due to manufacturing processes that decrease their size to tiniest of particles ,so called nano-particles which fit through any natural barrier. In addition, there is a relationship between the intestine and brain. A disturbed intestinal flora contains a multitude of toxic metabolites. Thus, the intestine becomes permeable ( 'porous'), toxins escape through the damaged intestinal wall into the bloodstream and travel to the brain, where they cross the blood-brain barrier and do damage.

A few examples of toxins and their effects:

Phthalates (plasticizers) include endocrine disruptors and are also suspected to be carcinogenic, liver and kidney damaging.

Nervous system and endocrine system are closely related, which is why both are also called neuro-endocrine system. When toxins get on your nerves the endocrine (hormonal) system is also affected. Many toxins are called endocrine disruptors because they interfere with the hormonal balance. E.g .: dioxin and bisphenol A act as estrogen and are suspected to cause disturbance of the sexual cycle and interfere with the thyroid hormones, leading to e.g. hyperactivity and concentration problems.

As is known, toxic encephalopathies and neuropathies, is damage of the central and peripheral nervous systems (CNS and PNS), caused by organic solvents or mixtures thereof. It is listed under ‚ICD-10 .../ BK 1317 ' in the (German) occupational diseases regulation and is as such eligible for compensation. Depression is expressly mentioned. Depression can be an early warning sign of corresponding damage to the central nervous system in the brain (= encephalopathies).

These are explained succinctly: caused by toxins, such as organic solvents, which are e.g .: benzene, toluene, styrene, and all halogenated hydrocarbons, or substances containing halogenated / chlorinated substances. Some of the afore mentioned substances are contained in the kerosene fumes which are regularly inhaled by crews and passengers (when standing in line before take-off, behind other aircraft) - and mind you - every breath is a dose which accordingly doubles, increases to tenfold, a hundredfold etc.: the more you inhale the higher the dose.

Other similar neurotoxic substances that can also trigger depression are contained in the (bleed-air) oil fumes called fume and/or smell events (and it does not necessarily have to smell extremely foul, sometimes there is practically no smell!) and also in all spray-fumes and residue of desinsection - / residual on board insect spraying. Chronic long term low level (LTLL) exposure, allthough heavily denied by the industry, is, according to leading scientists likely to be more health damaging with more severe and lasting effects than so called ‚fume events’.

Since inflammation always is a defensive reaction, a Canadian research team suspected that it could be that this is a "chronic immune reaction", and "why antidepressants often do not work", but the depressive episodes increase even more and become possibly stronger.(Quote): "I have already referred to some of these (toxins) in the occupational disease lists of inflammatory acting toxins. As neurologically significant toxins, metals such as lead, mercury, arsenic, manganese and many chemicals are already known.

Therefore, it may be worthwhile for many depressive patients and their doctors, to look in to this and read carefully, as the newest findings are well founded in medicine and toxicology for epidemiologically reasons and the individual’s compensation positions. "(Source / unquote Dr Agnela Vogel).Many of the listed substances and groups, can be found at your work place (aircraft) and are also regularly detected in the body fluids of crews at way too high levels – never mind that they shouldn’t be there in the first place.

I highly recommend that when doctors diagnose depression or anxiety disorders, to get a Biomonitoring–test done for the specific chemicals we in the mean time know that aviators and passengers are exposed to, and find a knowlegable toxicologist and neurologist to help make the connections. This way you can at least determine the source of the depression and receive proper and effective help. Bearnairdine Beaumont 2016